Swimming device.



T. ROYSTER.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18. 1914.

1,137,289., Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

9| iil awe/M01 T. ROYSTER.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, I914.

1,137,289. Patented pr.27,1915.

2 SHEETS-*SHEET 2 Q I I I .THOM S novsrnajon NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS ROYSTER, citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven, in thecounty of New Haven and 'State of Connecticut,ihave invented certain aiding the swimmer to an appreciable and material extent. 7 The above and additional ObJBCtS are accomplished by such'means'as are illustrated in their preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification and'then more particularly pointed out in the claims-which are appended hereto and form a part of this application.

In descrlbing my invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying draw- 1 ings wherein like characters denotelike or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which 1 Figure 1 is a view illustrating the application of the invention, the devices or attachments being shown affixed to the wrists and ankles of the swimmer; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the devices detached; and Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates a band, divided longitudinally as shown to advantage in Fig. 2, the adjacent edges of the band being provided with lacing hooks 2 so arranged and attached as to permit of fastening the device to either the wrist or the ankle of the swimmer, one of the said attachments, when in actual use, being fastened to each wrist and to each ankle of the swimmer.

Screws 3 are fastened to the band 1 at substantially diametrically opposite points, the said screws serving as a retaining ele ment whereby the blade or wing of the despecifieation of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 18, 1914. 7 Serial No. 845,982.

vice, designated as an entirety by the numeral 4, is held in pivotal relation to the band. Said wing 4 in its preferred embodiment comprises a celluloid body 5, the periphery of which is inclosed by a wire strand 6 of sufficient rigidity to hold the wing or'blade 4 against bending or collapsing whenin use. The terminals of the wire strand 6 are coiled about'the screws or retaining pins 3 as indicated at 7 in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the said pins or screws 3 also serving as a means of attachment for'a'wire strand 8, bent somewhat after the fashion of thestrand 6, and coiledatits terminals as indicated at 9, a washer or like element'being interposed-between the coils 7 and 9'at the respective terminals of the two strands. Wire strand 8 is disposed to extend in a plane transversely to the longitudinal axis of the band 1, abrace rod or wire strand 10 attached as at 11 t0 the band and as at 12 to the strandS serving as a means whereby the latter is held immovable relatively to the band when blade orwing 4: is pressing thereagainst. The celluloid body 5 ofthe wing is cut away or longitudinally slotted as in dicated at 13 to provide for movement of the right angles thereto or approximately parallel with the longitudinal axisof the band.

A wire strand 14E, afiixed in any suitable manner to the strand 8, extends transversely thereof and serves as an abutment for the blade or wing 4: when positioned as shown in the said Fig. 2. Clips or other suitable fastening devices 15 may be provided as a means whereby body 5 is fastened to strand 6 forming the frame or supporting element for the blade. When in use,-one of the said devices or attachments is fastened to each wrist and to each ankle of the swimmer, a suitablelacing being utilized as a fastening means. By pivoting the blade or wing of each attachment to the band 1 upon which it is mounted, it is apparent that the said blades or wings will operate automatically to fold or collapse when the arms or legs are thrust forwardly and to open the moment the arms or legs are thrust rearwardly, such movement of the blades, as above set forth, causing a minimum amount of resist ance to be offered to the water in the execution of a swimming stroke, and a minimum amount of resistance to be ofl'ered to the water as the arms and legs are thrust forwardly stroke.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the'accorripanying drawings'it is apparent that the wire strand 8 and the strand 14 mounted thereupon, will serve as an abutment for the wing or blade when opened; that the body 5 being slotted, will in no way interfere with or hinder pivotal movement of the said blade; and that by the use of the attachments or devices a swimmer may be made to move faster through the water without a proportionate'inorease in the exertion incident to swimming. I r 1 In reduction to practice, I have found that the form of my invention, illustrated in the drawingsand referred to in the above description, as the preferred embodiment, is the most eflicient and practical; yet realizing that the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my device will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may e resorted to, when required, without sacrificing any of theadvantages of my'invention, as defined in the appended claims. 7 j

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a swimming device, an attaching band, a wing pivoted to the band, stop means extending at an angle to-the band to limit pivotal movement of the wing, and a guide element for the wing, said element acting as to prepare for a second swimming a brace for the stop means, as and for'the purpose set forth. i A

'2'. A swimming device including a removable limb-engag-ingband, a slotted wing pivoted to the band, a frame attached to the band and disposed to extend at an angle to its longitudinal axis, the frame serving as a stop means limiting pivotal movement of the wing, and abrace'rod afiixed to the frame and the band, said brace rod being adapted to operate within the slot aforesaid to act as a guide for the wing, as and for the-purpose set forth. 7

3. A swimming device; including an attaching band, a wing comprising a wing frame pivoted to the .band, a body fitting within and fastened to the frame, a-portion of the said body'being cut away, means carried by the band and extending therefrom at right angles to its longitudinal axis, means holding the said last mentioned means immovable relatively to the band, said last mentioned means operating within that portion cut away of the wing to provide for movement of the latter from a position parallel with the longitudinal axis of the band to a position at right angles to the said longitudinal axis of the band, the said wing when-in the latter position being engageable s andfor the pur with the said ,stop means, a pose set forth.

In testimony whereof: I V V in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS ROYSTER.

Witnesses: THOMAS R. OCONNELL, Gno. A. SANFORD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

4 Washington, D. G. Y 

